Employment

Manhattan Country School faculty and staff work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect, warmth and commitment to the vision and mission of the school. Our community of more than 50 employees, in New York City and at our 180-acre farm in the Catskills, mirror the diversity of our student body. 

Current job openings are listed below. Application instructions are provided within each job posting. 

Manhattan Country School is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies.
MCS supports teacher-training programs at Bank Street College, City College, New York University and Teachers College, Columbia University, among others, so there are opportunities each year for assistant, student and intern teachers in many of our classrooms, as well as at the MCS Farm. Résumés and cover letters for these positions are accepted in the early spring for the following school year. To be considered, please email Human Resources.

Current Employment Opportunities

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

  • Afterschool Teachers

    Manhattan Country School seeks teachers for the Afterschool program for the 2023-2024 school year.

    Manhattan Country School is a pre-K through 8th grade school in New York City that is recognized for its strong academic program, racial and economic diversity, social justice activism, and emphasis on environmental education that features a working farm in the Catskills in Roxbury, New York. Committed to principles of equity and multiculturalism, MCS is unique among New York City independent schools. MCS’s educational philosophy relies on educators who have strong knowledge of child development and can apply it to effective pedagogies of inquiry and learning, enjoy the excitement and curiosity of children, want to help build a community where diverse perspectives are valued and appreciate the life-long impact of working together for social and environmental justice.

    Responsibilities and Duties

    • Lead two classes per afternoon for ages 4 - 6 and 7 - 10
    • Plan and execute fun and engaging activities and lessons that foster a growing knowledge and understanding of a content area (open to a variety, based on personal experience and passion)
    • Build relationships with students to create a warm, welcoming and child-centered classroom community
    • Use age-appropriate and mission-aligned classroom management skills to run classes and support an energetic group of children
    • Maintain and reinforce health and safety rules, both physical and social-emotional
    • Support students in moving safely through the building and when picking up or dropping off students
    • Supervise a group of children during a short snack and free play time period prior to the start of classes
    • Set up, clean up, and maintain materials
    • Communicate with Auxiliary Programs director regarding curriculum implementation and to address the needs of the children throughout the session

    Requirements and Qualifications

    • High school diploma 
    • Experience teaching your particular content area to elementary-aged children in an Afterschool or summer program setting
    • Familiarity with progressive pedagogy and classroom management strategies 
    • Strong communication skills and problem-solving abilities
    • Flexibility and willingness to adapt to last minute logistical changes
    • Proactive approach to lesson creation and classroom management in response to the needs of children
    • Ability and willingness to collaborate with other Afterschool teachers, as needed
    • A commitment to fostering inclusivity and social justice through your work with children

    Schedule: 3 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays, with specific day(s) to be mutually agreed upon based on your schedule and the needs of the program. This includes a 30 minute snack period and two 1-hour long classes. Teachers must commit to working the full Fall session, which runs from the week of September 11 through Friday, February 2 along the MCS school calendar, with the potential to continue on for the full school year. There may be opportunities for occasional work substituting in other Afterschool classes or covering the dismissal period from 5:30 - 6 p.m.

    Pay rate: $75/hour

    To apply: Please submit a cover letter and resume to Caroline Biggers, Director of Auxiliary Programs, with “Afterschool Teacher'' in the subject line. No phone calls please. For more information, please see our website. Manhattan Country School is an equal-opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
  • Lower School Head Teacher Position for 2024-2025

    Manhattan Country School seeks a full-time Head Teacher for the 2024-2025 school year for grades pre-K - 4th grade.
     
    Manhattan Country School is a pre-K - 8th grade elementary school in New York City that is recognized for its strong academic program, racial and economic diversity, social justice activism, and an emphasis on environmental education that features a working farm in the Catskills in Roxbury, N.Y. Committed to principles of equity and justice, MCS is unique among NYC independent schools. MCS employs educators who have strong knowledge of child development and can apply it to effective progressive pedagogies of inquiry and learning, enjoy the excitement and curiosity of children, want to help build a community where diverse perspectives are valued, and appreciate the life-long impact of working together for social and environmental justice.


    Responsibilities and Duties:
    • Implements a progressive and interdisciplinary curriculum that is designed to promote children’s physical, intellectual, and socio-emotional development
    • Provides differentiated instruction to accommodate varying learning profiles and works closely with the learning specialist and other staff members in support of the children’s growth
    • Has strong classroom management skills
    • Collaborates closely with the grade level team, including weekly meetings for planning and sharing of curricula
    • Communicates with parents/caregivers regularly: leads conferences, writes progress reports, writes monthly newsletter
    • Attends weekly faculty meetings, other periodic meetings, and school events, such as Curriculum Night and Open House
    • Fulfills other duties, including lunch and park (recess) coverage, as assigned by supervisor

    Requirements and Qualifications:
    • Graduate degree in Education
    • Full-time head teaching experience with elementary age children
    • Pedagogy and teaching experience that reflect an emphasis on an inquiry-based, experiential approach to learning that is in keeping with MCS’s mission
    • Demonstrates strong communication skills
    • Approaches profession in ways that are thoughtful, innovative, and collaborative
    • Finds joy in being with children
    • Demonstrates cultural competency and skills engaging with and learning from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences
    • Supports MCS’s commitment to equity and justice
    • Approaches work with kindness, responsibility, curiosity, flexibility, and a sense of humor
    • Possesses proficiency in various technology skills, including comfort utilizing a projector and the following platforms: Zoom, Seesaw and Google Docs
    • Prior experience in a diverse community or working collaboratively to engage youth in community-building, social and environmental justice, and activism is a plus
     
    To Apply: Please submit a cover letter and resumé to Human Resources at HR@manhattancountryschool.org with “Lower School Head Teacher” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. For more information about MCS, see https://www.manhattancountryschool.org
     
     
    This position is covered under the LOC2110 collective bargaining agreement with a salary range of $57,200 - $92,560 annually.
     
     
    Manhattan Country School is an equal-opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
  • Pre-K - 8th Grade Substitute Teachers

    Manhattan Country School is an all-gender Pre-K-8th grade school in New York City that is recognized for its strong academic program, racial and economic diversity, social justice activism, and an emphasis on environmental education that features a working farm in the Catskills in Roxbury, New York. Committed to principles of equity and multiculturalism, MCS is unique among NYC independent schools. MCS’s educational philosophy relies on educators who have strong knowledge of child development and can apply it to effective pedagogies of inquiry and learning, enjoy the excitement and curiosity of children, want to help build a community where diverse perspectives are valued and appreciate the life-long impact of working together for social and environmental justice.
     
    Manhattan Country School is seeking 4-5s (Pre-K) through 8th Grade Substitute Teachers. Interested candidates must have some experience working in schools or in other programs with elementary and middle school-aged children.
     
    Salary Range: $140-150
     
    To apply: Please submit a cover letter and résumé to HR@manhattancountryschool.org with “Substitute Teacher” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. For more information, please see www.manhattancountryschool.org.
     
    Manhattan Country School is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer that values diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace.
  • Lower School Assistant Teacher Position for 2024-2025

    Manhattan Country School seeks a full-time Assistant Teacher for the 2024-2025 school year.

    Manhattan Country School is a pre-K - 8th grade elementary school in New York City that is recognized for its strong academic program, racial and economic diversity, social justice activism, and an emphasis on environmental education that features a working farm in the Catskills in Roxbury, N.Y. Committed to principles of equity and justice, MCS is unique among NYC independent schools. MCS employs educators who have strong knowledge of child development and can apply it to effective progressive pedagogies of inquiry and learning, enjoy the excitement and curiosity of children, want to help build a community where diverse perspectives are valued, and appreciate the life-long impact of working together for social and environmental justice.

    Assistant Teachers work full-time with a Head Teacher who serves as their mentor. Assistants are hired for one year, with the option for a second year. The Assistant Teacher Program is three years in total.

    Responsibilities and Duties:
    The Assistant Teacher
    • Supports in maintaining the classroom environment
    • Helps to design and implement an interdisciplinary, age-appropriate curriculum
    • Provides differentiated instruction to students with varying learning modalities
    • Writes progress reports and participates in family conferences
    • Communicates with parents/caregivers
    • Attends weekly faculty meetings, other periodic meetings, and school events, such as Curriculum Night and Open House
    • Fulfills other various duties, including early arrival, lunch, and park (recess) coverage, as assigned by supervisor

    Requirements and Qualifications:
    • Bachelor’s degree required
    • Preferred graduate degree in Education completed or in process
    • Previous experience in elementary school classrooms, such as student teaching or assistant teaching experience
    • Commitment to working in a diverse learning environment that necessitates flexibility, ability to work collaboratively, and a desire to enhance professional growth

    To apply:  Please submit a cover letter and résumé to HR@manhattancountryschool.org with “Lower School Assistant Teacher” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. For more information, please see www.manhattancountryschool.org .

    As part of the interview process for this position, we will ask candidates to demonstrate their teaching experience as well as their content knowledge and skills. This position is covered under the LOC2110 collective bargaining agreement with a starting salary of $52,000 - $54,363.92 annually.
     
    Manhattan Country School is an equal-opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
  • Upper School Director (Grades 5-8) for 2024-2025

    Manhattan Country School seeks an Upper School Director to lead the 5th through 8th grades beginning July 1, 2024.
     
    Manhattan Country School is a pre-K through 8th grade school in New York City that is recognized for its strong academic program, racial and economic diversity, social justice activism, and emphasis on environmental education that features a working farm in the Catskills in Roxbury, New York. Committed to principles of equity and multiculturalism, MCS is unique among New York City independent schools. MCS’s educational philosophy relies on educators who have strong knowledge of child development and can apply it to effective pedagogies of inquiry and learning, enjoy the excitement and curiosity of children, want to help build a community where diverse perspectives are valued, and appreciate the life-long impact of working together for social and environmental justice.
     
    UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR ROLE
    The next Upper School Director must have a deep passion for middle school education, understand the unique developmental stages of adolescents, and love working with students and supporting teachers in the classroom. The faculty work extraordinarily hard, and with joy, to deliver the School's high ideals for its progressive educational philosophy. The Upper School Director will serve as a member of the leadership team, and as an educational leader for the teaching team, fostering their continued professional development while recruiting new, mission-aligned educators to join in this work.

    Together with the Lower School Director, the Upper School Director will strengthen core academic traditions while also enhancing the curriculum. Moreover, the Upper School Director will work across departments to sharpen how MCS conveys the value of a social justice-focused, progressive education to students, families, educators, and friends. The next Upper School Director will have the opportunity to work with a talented team to explore how MCS, a school that began as a radical experiment, forged in the work and words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the basis of educational equity and social justice, can continue to carry its vision forward into 2025 and beyond.
     
    KEYS FOR THE NEXT UPPER SCHOOL DIRECTOR
    • Carry forward the traditions and historically rooted mission of MCS and joyfully lead the Upper School community as MCS continues to grow into our school building and the next stage of its journey as an institution. Work with the leadership team to establish and execute the plan to expand the impact of MCS as a leader in education.
    • Work with the Lower School Director to enhance and document the curriculum, ensuring that students transition smoothly between the Lower School and Upper School and graduate with the academic and leadership skills needed to thrive in high school and beyond.
    • Support a dedicated faculty of experienced, progressive practitioners while also recruiting and onboarding mission-aligned team members and developing their professional abilities as school leaders and educators.
    • Partner with Admissions, Advancement, and Communications to reimagine how to authentically communicate the value of an MCS education to the current generation of incoming families. 
    • Coordinate with the MCS Farm team to fortify the connection between city campus and Farm and further develop cross-curricula and other opportunities for students' connection and interaction with the Farm-based education program—a resource unique to MCS.
    • Continue work in four key areas of program development: collaboration with Support Team to develop protocols for learning support and mental health; development of a standards- and portfolio-based assessment model; refinement of the teacher evaluation system; and creation and expansion of opportunities for student voice and leadership.

    QUALIFICATIONS
    • Expert Middle School Educator
    • Proven Administrator and Dedicated Mentor
    • Action-Oriented Program Leader
    • Inclusive Community Builder
    • Anti-Racist 
    • Skilled Collaborator
    • Curricular and Pedagogical Innovator
    • Thought Leader
    • Inspirational Communicator
    • At least 5 years of middle school teaching and administration experience

    TRAITS
    • Honest
    • High Social Intelligence
    • Collaborative
    • Courageous
    • Creative
    • Sensible
    • Fair
    • Humble
    • Kind
    • Curious

    The Upper School director will be responsible for managing a well-established program as well as introducing innovative ideas through an unwavering lens of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. Duties include hiring and evaluation of faculty; curricular planning; maintaining a safe, positive community environment; communication with students, families and other constituencies; prioritizing equity, social justice, and anti-racism; and close collaboration with the Lower School, Admissions, and High School Placement directors, and other members of the leadership team. We hope to interview candidates whose personal qualities include a strong intellectual foundation, a passion for working with experienced and new teachers, appreciation of diversity and democratic communities, an ability to work closely and positively with families, an ability to set priorities and follow through on achieving them, and a sense of humor.
     
    To apply:  Please submit a cover letter and resume to HR@manhattancountryschool.org with “Upper School Director” in the subject line. No phone calls, please. For more information, please see www.manhattancountryschool.org

    Manhattan Country School is an equal-opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

    This position has a salary range of $120,000-$130,000 annually.
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